Double joy for Oldham

UNDER-14s . . . Charlotte Spence (back row, left), Chloe Gregory, Alice Travis, Ellie Owen, Jess Illingworth, Linda Onuoha. Laura Kelly (front row, left), Jess Whitworth, Gabs Marshall, Siobhan McLaughlin.

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NETBALL: TEAM managers from Oldham Netball Club spoke of their delight after the talented girls celebrated double glory at the prestigious Pontins tournament.

The under-14s, who staged a stunning recovery in their semi-final, and under-15s clinched top honours at Brean Sands in Somerset, beating off tough competition from the best clubs in the country.

The younger age group, ranked the number one team after nailing the national title, won all eight of their pool games on the opening day.

They added three more successes on day two to progress to the knock-out stages, where they met Turnford from Hertfordshire in the semi-final.

With 40 seconds left to play and trailing by three goals, it looked all over for Oldham, but they performed one of the most amazing comebacks in the club’s 23-year history to force extra time.

They had all the momentum and ran out 13-11 winners to seal a place in the final, where they overcame Poole 5-4.

Team manager Cathy Whitworth said: “The girls were tremendous all weekend and deserved to win the competition.

“We had a few hairy moments, but the players showed fantastic determination. I’m so proud of every one of them.”

The under-15s also boasted a perfect record in the group stages, and went on to win all three of their games on day two.

Oldham trailed 2-0 in their semi-final against local rivals Tameside.

But they, too, turned the match on its head, with Rachel Bolton feeding goal-shooter Charlotte Preston to make the score 8-7.

Oldham held a 7-3 lead in the final over the Essex-based Eagles, but they were forced to hold on in the end to complete a 7-6 win.

Sue Westwood, the team manager, said: “I am so proud of the girls.

“This is the fifth time in five years that the team has won this tournament. It was a little scary, but we did it in the end.”